Game piece

ABSTRACT

A game piece for transferring an object across the surface of a board game or the like. The game piece generally comprises a carrier body having an upper end, a lower end, an entry opening proximate the lower end, and a socket in communication with the entry opening. The entry opening is sized to allow the transfer object to pass therethrough so that the transfer object is thereafter retained within the socket. Additionally, the socket is adapted to receive a second game piece having a similarly configured socket and entry opening. When the entry opening of the second game piece is pushed over the transfer object, the object is transferred from the socket of the original game piece to the socket of the second game piece.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 11/355,686, filed Feb. 16, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to game pieces, and more particularly to a game piece for use with a transfer object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Board games and other similar toys have proven to be extremely successful and long-lasting products. As a result, a wide variety of board games exist in the marketplace. Many of these games typically involve moving one or more game pieces to various spaces on a playing surface. For example, in the game of Monopoly, a user can select from various different types of game pieces including a dog, car, iron, shoe, and other objects. These game pieces are advanced across the playing surface or game board by rolling a set of dice and moving the pieces a corresponding number of spaces. In other board games, game pieces are advanced across the playing surface by spinning a wheel with numerical values, answering certain questions with point values correctly, or some other method specified in the rules of the game.

Manufacturers are constantly seeking new and creative ways to entertain consumers with board games. Although many different types of board games and game pieces exist, very few of these game pieces are designed to do anything more than travel across the game's playing surface. New games and new forms of entertainment would be possible if game pieces were designed to achieve additional functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A game piece for use with a transfer object comprises a carrier body having an upper end and a lower end, an entry opening proximate the lower end, and a socket in communication with the entry opening. The entry opening is sized to allow the transfer object to pass therethrough so that the transfer object is thereafter retained within the socket. Additionally, the socket is adapted to receive a second game piece having a similarly configured socket and entry opening. When the entry opening of the second game piece is pushed over the transfer object retained in the first game piece, the transfer object passes through the entry opening of the second game piece so as to be transferred from the socket of the first game piece to the socket of the second game piece.

The carrier body of the game piece may be configured to nest with the second game piece. This enables the second game piece to be stacked on top of the first game piece when transferring or “capturing” the object therefrom. Additionally, the game piece may incorporate various safety features to prevent a person from having his or her finger get caught in the entry opening. For example, the socket may include a cut-out portion or the carrier body may be constructed from separate, detachable components.

Alternative game pieces incorporating the general principles of the invention are also disclosed. By having the ability to capture objects from a playing surface or an opponent's game piece, new and entertaining types of board games may be created with these game pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game piece according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the game piece shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-6 are cross-sectional side views showing the game piece of FIG. 1 being used to capture a transfer object;

FIGS. 7-9 are views similar to FIGS. 3-6 showing a second game piece interacting with the game piece of FIG. 1 to capture the transfer object;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a game piece having a cut-out portion;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a game piece having a cut-out portion;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of a game piece having multiple sections;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the game piece shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a game piece having multiple components;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the game piece shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of a game piece according to the invention;

FIGS. 17-20 are views similar to FIGS. 3-6 showing another embodiment of a game-piece being used to capture a transfer object; and

FIGS. 21-24 are views similar to FIGS. 3-6 showing yet another embodiment of a game-piece according to the invention being used to capture a transfer object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a game piece 10 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. The game piece 10 may be used in connection with any game played on a game board or similar playing surface. As will be described in greater detail below, the game piece 10 is designed to capture a transfer object 12 (FIG. 3) from the playing surface or another game piece.

The game piece 10 generally comprises a carrier body 14 having an upper end 16 and a lower end 18, an entry opening 20 proximate the lower end 18, and a socket 22 communicating with the entry opening 20. The socket 22 also communicates with an exit opening 24 proximate the upper end 16. Because the exit opening 24 has a larger diameter than the entry opening 20, the socket 22 is substantially conical. Additionally, the socket 22 includes one or more flexible members 26 that define at least a portion of the entry opening 20. As shown in FIG. 11, a single flexible member 26 may be provided to define the entire entry opening 20.

An outer wall 32 of the carrier body 14 extends from the upper end 16 to the lower end 18 and surrounds the socket 22. Both the outer wall 32 and socket 22 are arranged about a central axis 34 such that the carrier body 14 is axis-symmetric. And as shown in FIG. 3, the outer wall 32 extends downwardly and outwardly from the upper end 16 such that the carrier body 14 has a frustoconical profile. A cavity 36 is provided in the carrier body 14 between the socket 22 and outer wall 32.

FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate the game piece 10 being used to capture a transfer object 12 located on a game board or playing surface 44. Although the transfer object 12 is shown as being spherical, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the transfer object 12 may have other shapes and configurations.

In use, the game piece 10 is positioned above the playing surface 44 with the entry opening 20 generally aligned over the transfer object 12. When a player desires to “pick-up” or capture the transfer object 12, he or she pushes the game piece 10 over the transfer object 12. The entry opening 20 is sized to allow the transfer object 12 to pass therethrough so that the transfer object 12 is thereafter retained in the socket 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible members 26 that define the entry opening 20 are deflected outwardly as the game piece 10 is pushed over the transfer object 12. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the flexible members 26 are spaced apart from one another such that they may deflect independently of one another. This deflection enables the entry opening 20 to expand to accommodate the transfer object 12. When the transfer object 12 has passed through the entry opening 20, the flexible members 26 deflect inwardly to their initial position so that the transfer object 12 is “captured” or retained within the socket 22. As shown in FIG. 6, the game piece 10 may then be lifted, slid, or otherwise shifted across the game board surface 44 to move the transfer object 12 to another location.

In one embodiment, the shape of the cavity 36 generally corresponds to the profile defined by the socket 22 and outer wall 32. Accordingly and with reference to FIGS. 7-9, the game piece 10 is adapted to receive or nest with a second game piece 50 having a similarly configured carrier body. Like the game piece 10, the second game piece 50 includes a carrier body 52 having an upper end 54 and a lower end 56, an entry opening 58 and an exit opening 60, a socket 62 in communication with the entry and exit openings 58, 60, and an outer wall 64 extending between the upper and lower ends 54, 56. The outer wall 64 also surrounds the socket 62 and is angled away from the socket 62 so as to create a cavity 66 therebetween.

To capture the transfer object 12 from the game piece 10, the second game piece 50 is positioned with the entry opening 58 above the transfer object 12. When the entry opening 58 is pushed over the transfer object 12, the transfer object 12 is captured by or transferred to the socket 62 in the same manner that was described with reference to the socket 22 in FIGS. 3-6. In other words, the transfer object 12 is transferred from the socket 22 of the game piece 10 to the socket 62 of the second game piece 50 so as to reside therein. Once the transfer object 12 has been captured by the second game piece 50, the second game piece 50 may be removed from the first game piece 10 and placed elsewhere on the game board surface 44.

FIG. 8 shows how the game pieces 10, 50 are advantageously adapted to nest with each other. Specifically, the socket 22 and outer wall 32 of the game piece 10 are adapted to be received in the cavity 66 of the second game piece 50. The game pieces therefore have the ability to be stacked on top of each other. Thus, a third game piece (not shown) with a similarly configured carrier body could be pushed on top of the second game piece 50 to capture the transfer object 12 and increase the overall height of the stacked pieces.

The ability to capture and transfer objects creates new possibilities for entertaining board games. For example, rather than simply moving a game piece to particular spaces on the game board, a board game may be designed where players must travel across various spaces, collect certain objects, and bring the objects back to a “base” or some other designated location. The game may involve additional strategy by allowing players to steal or capture the objects being transferred by their opponents. Therefore, the game pieces 10, 50 could be used to provide fun and exciting board games beyond those using traditional game pieces.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the game piece 10 may further include a cut-out portion 72 through the socket 22 and outer wall 32. The cut-out portion 72 may be a substantial gap (FIG. 10) or a small slot (FIG. 11). Either way, the cut-out portion 72 serves as a safety feature. For example, if a player were to inadvertently insert his or her finger through the socket 22 and entry opening 20, he or she may have difficulty pulling it back through entry opening 20. The cut-out portion 72 ensures that tension between the player's finger and the game piece 10 can be released by expanding the entry opening 20. If the game piece 10 is constructed from flexible material, such as plastic, the cut-out portion 72 may also be enlarged by pulling the carrier body 14 in opposite directions so that the player can remove his or her finger through the corresponding gap or slot.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the game piece 10. In this embodiment, the carrier body 14 is comprised of first and second sections 78, 80 each defining at least a portion of the outer wall 32 and socket 22. The first and second sections 78, 80 are adapted to be coupled to each other. To this end, the first section 78 includes projections 82 that engage corresponding notches 84 in the second section 80. A ring member 86 may be provided around the perimeter of the outer wall 32 to further facilitate and promote coupling the first section 78 to the second section 80. Like the embodiment in FIGS. 10 and 11, such an arrangement serves as a safety feature. If needed, players could readily remove the ring member 86 and uncouple or detach the first and second sections 78, 80 to release a finger caught in the entry opening 20.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 14 and 15, a game piece 10 a is comprised of a carrier body 88 and a removable insert 90. Carrier body 88 includes an upper end 92 having a recess 94. The removable insert 90 includes a cut-out portion 95 and a rim member 96 that can be removably inserted into and retained by the recess 94 such that the carrier body 88 and insert 90 form unitary game piece 10 a. With the removable insert 90 put together with carrier body 88, the game piece 10 a has many of the same features as the game piece 10 in FIG. 1, such as the lower end 18, the entry opening 20, the socket 22, the exit opening 24, the outer wall 32, and the cavity 36. The recess 94 is configured to retain the insert 90 when a transfer object disposed within the socket 22 when game piece 10 a is lifted off the game board surface 44. The insert 90, however, can be removed from the carrier body 88 when necessary. For example, if a player gets his or her finger caught in the entry opening 20, he or she can pull the carrier body 88 away from the insert 90 to separate the two components. The player can then release any tension between his or her finger and the insert 90 by expanding the cut-out portion 95 and the entry opening 20.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is substantially the same as the embodiment in FIGS. 1 through 9. In this embodiment, however, the outer wall 32 includes one or more openings or windows 98 for aesthetic appeal. The windows 98 extend from the lower end 18 to the upper end 16 such that legs 33 define the outer wall 32. Because the number of windows 98 corresponds to the number of legs 33, the windows 98 also enable multiple game pieces to be nested more closely. In particular, the legs 33 extend slightly outwardly from the exit opening 24 before projecting downwardly and are coupled to an outer ring 100 at the lower end 18. The width of each leg 33 is smaller than a corresponding window 98 such that when a second game piece is placed on top of the game piece 10, the legs of the second game piece can be received in the windows 98.

With reference to FIGS. 17 through 20, a game piece 110 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown. The game piece 110 is designed to pick up and support a transfer object 112 having a central opening 114. As shown, the game piece 110 is substantially conical and the transfer object 112 is ring-shaped. The game piece 110 includes a carrier body 118 having an upper end or apex 120, a lower end 122, and a base section 124 extending outwardly from the lower end 122. One or more slots or gaps 126 extend upwardly from the lower end 122 towards the apex 120 such that the carrier body 118 is flexible.

The base section 124 is sized to pass through the central opening 114 and thereafter support the transfer object 112. More specifically, the base section 124 is sized to engage a sloped portion 130 of an inner wall 132 that defines the central opening 114 of the transfer object 112. When the base section 124 is aligned over the central opening 114 and the game piece 110 is pushed onto the transfer object 112, the sloped portion 130 of the inner wall 132 causes the carrier body 118 to flex. This allows the base section 124 to pass beyond the sloped portion 130 and extend through the central opening 114. The base section 124 then engages a sloped portion 134 of the inner wall 132 and expands back to its initial size. The interaction between the base section 124 and the sloped portion 134 forces the transfer object 112 on top of the base section 124 such that the transfer object 112 is supported by the base section 124.

A second game piece (not shown) may be used to capture the transfer object 112 from the game piece 110. More specifically, the game piece 110 may be adapted to receive a second game piece (not shown) that has a similarly configured carrier body and base section. When the carrier body of the second game piece is pushed on top of the game piece 110, the transfer object 112 is transferred from the base section 124 of the game piece 110 to the base section of the second game piece. The game piece 110, like the other embodiments discussed above, may further be adapted to nest with the second game piece so that the game pieces are stackable.

A game piece 144 according to yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 21 through 24. The game piece 144 is for use with a transfer object 146 having a neck portion 148 and a head portion 150. Although the transfer object 146 is generally pin or rod-shaped, the head portion 150 is wider in diameter than the neck portion 148 and is tapered towards an upper end 152 of the transfer object 146. Additionally, the transfer object 146 further includes a pilot or anchor 154 to secure the object to a game board surface 156.

The game piece 144 is comprised of a carrier body 162 having an upper opening 164, a lower opening 166, and a socket 168 extending between the upper and lower openings 164, 166. The lower opening 166 is larger in diameter than the upper opening 164 such that the socket 168 is substantially conical. The upper opening 164 is sized to engage the neck portion 148 of the transfer object 146, and one or more slots or gaps 170 are provided in the socket 168 such that the upper opening 164 is flexible.

Thus, in use, the game piece 144 is positioned over the transfer object 146 with the upper opening 164 aligned with the head portion 150. When the game piece is pushed upon the transfer object 146, the upper opening 164 engages the head portion 150 and flexes until the head portion 150 extends therethrough. The upper opening 164 then engages the neck portion 148 so that the transfer object 146 is retained by the carrier body 162. If a player raises the game piece 144, the head portion 150 will be prevented from passing back through the upper opening 164 (FIG. 24). Thus, the transfer object 146 will be moved along with the game piece 144.

Like the other embodiments discussed above, a second game piece may be used to capture the transfer object 146 from the game piece 144. In particular, the game piece 144 is adapted to receive a second game piece (not shown) that has a similarly configured socket and upper opening. When the second game piece is pushed over the transfer object 146, the upper opening on the second game piece flexes to allow the head portion 150 to pass therethrough. The upper opening of the second game piece then engages the neck portion 148. If a player raises the second game piece, the transfer object 146 will move as well because the head portion 150 will be prevented from passing back through the upper opening of the second game piece. Thus, the transfer object 146 can be captured from the game piece 144, which may be held in position when the second game piece is moved to another location. To facilitate stacking and transferring the transfer object 146, the game piece 144 is adapted to nest with the second game piece.

While the invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of Applicant's general inventive concept. 

1. A method of capturing a transfer object, comprising: positioning a first game piece above the transfer object, the first game piece having a carrier body with an upper opening, a lower opening, and a socket defined between the upper and lower openings; moving the lower opening of the first game piece toward the transfer object until the transfer object passes through the lower opening and is captured by the first game piece; positioning a second game piece over the transfer object captured by the first game piece, the second game piece having a carrier body substantially the same as the carrier body of the first game piece; and moving the carrier body of the second game piece toward the carrier body of the first game piece until the transfer object captured by the first game piece passes through the lower opening of the second game piece and is captured by the second game piece.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: positioning the transfer object on a game board surface before it is captured by the first game piece.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the carrier body of the second game piece toward the carrier body of the first game piece further comprises: stacking the second game piece directly on the first game piece, the carrier bodies of the first and second game pieces being configured to nest with each other so that at a portion of the first game piece is received in the second game piece when stacked.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer object is substantially spherical, the lower opening of the first and second game pieces is smaller than the upper opening of each of the game pieces and the diameter the transfer object, and moving the lower opening of the first game piece toward the transfer object further comprises: moving the lower opening toward the transfer object until the transfer object passes through the lower opening and is thereby captured by the first game piece, wherein the lower opening flexes to allow the transfer object to pass therethrough.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein moving the carrier body of the second game piece toward the carrier body of the first game piece further comprises: moving the lower opening of the second game piece toward the transfer object captured by the first game piece until the transfer object is captured by the second game piece.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer object has a neck portion and a head portion wider than the neck portion, the upper openings of the first and second game pieces are smaller than the lower openings of each of the game pieces but larger than the head portion of the transfer object, and moving the lower opening of the first game piece toward the transfer object further comprises: moving the lower opening toward the transfer object until the head portion of the transfer object passes through the upper opening of the first game piece, wherein the upper opening flexes to allow the head portion of the transfer object to pass therethrough.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein moving the carrier body of the second game piece toward the carrier body of the first game piece further comprises: moving the upper opening of the second game piece toward the transfer object until the transfer object passes through the upper opening of the second game piece and is captured by the second game piece.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: moving the second game piece away from the first game piece, wherein the transfer object continues to be captured by the second game piece.
 9. A method of moving a transfer object across a surface, comprising: positioning a first game piece on a game board surface; capturing the transfer object on the game board surface with the first game piece; positioning a second game piece over the transfer object captured by the first game piece, the second game piece having substantially the same configuration as the first game piece; and transferring the transfer object to the second game piece by: moving the second game piece toward the first game piece and into contact with the transfer object while the transfer object is captured by the first game piece, the second game piece including a flexible portion that deflects upon contact with the transfer object; and further moving the second game piece toward the first game piece so that the flexible portion moves past the transfer object and returns to an initial undeflected position, the transfer object being captured by the second game piece after the flexible portion returns to its initial undeflected position.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the transfer object is substantially spherical and the first and second game pieces each have a carrier body with an upper end defining an exit opening, a lower end defining an entry opening smaller in diameter than the exit opening and the transfer object, and a socket defined between the exit opening and entry opening, and wherein capturing the transfer object on the game board surface with the first game piece further comprises: moving the entry opening of the first game piece toward the transfer object until the transfer object resides in the socket of the first game piece.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein transferring the transfer object to the second game piece further comprises: moving the entry opening of the second game piece toward the transfer object residing in the socket of the first game piece until the transfer object resides in the socket of the second game piece.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the transfer object has a central opening and the first and second game pieces each have a substantially conical carrier body with an upper end, a lower end, and a base section extending outwardly from the lower end, and wherein capturing the transfer object on the game board surface with the first game piece further comprises: positioning the transfer object on the game board surface; and moving the base section of the first game piece through the central opening of the transfer object, the base section flexing inwardly to move through the opening and then returning to its initial undeflected position so that the transfer object is thereafter supported on the base section.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein transferring the transfer object to the second game piece further comprises: moving the base section of the second game piece toward the upper end of the first game piece and through the central opening of transfer object, the base section of the second game piece flexing inwardly to move through the opening and then returning to its initial position so that the transfer object is thereafter supported on the base section of the second game piece.
 14. A method of capturing a transfer object, comprising: positioning a first game piece above the transfer object, the first game piece having a carrier body with an upper end defining an exit opening, a lower end defining an entry opening smaller in diameter than the exit opening, and a socket defined between the exit opening and entry opening, the socket being flexible at the entry opening; forcing the entry opening of the first game piece over the transfer object so that the transfer object passes through the entry opening and thereafter resides within the socket; positioning a second game piece over the transfer object residing in the first game piece, the second game piece having a carrier body substantially the same as the carrier body of the first game piece; and moving the second game piece toward the first game piece until the socket of the second game piece is received within the socket of the first game piece and the transfer object passes through the entry opening of the second game piece, the transfer object thereafter residing within the socket of the second game piece.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the carrier bodies of the first and second game pieces each include an inner wall defining the socket and an outer wall extending between the upper and lower ends, the outer wall surrounding the inner wall so as to define a cavity therebetween, and wherein moving the second game piece toward the first game piece further comprises: stacking the second game piece directly on the first game piece so that the upper end of the first game piece is received in the cavity of the second game piece.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the carrier body of the second game piece further includes at least one flexible member defining at least a portion of the entry opening, and wherein moving the second game piece toward the first game piece further comprises: moving the second game piece toward the first game piece until the flexible member contacts the transfer object while the transfer object resides in the socket of the first game piece; and further moving the second game piece toward the first game piece so that the flexible member deflects to allow the transfer object to pass through the entry opening and then returns to an initial undeflected position so that the transfer object is captured by the second game piece.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: assembling the first game piece by coupling a first section of the carrier body to a second section of the carrier body, the first and second sections each defining at least a portion of the outer wall.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein assembling the first game piece further comprises: positioning a ring member around the outer wall of the carrier body to facilitate coupling the first section to the second section.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: assembling the first game piece by positioning a removable insert into a recess at the upper end of the carrier body of the first game piece, wherein the removable insert defines the socket and is configured to be retained by the recess.
 20. The method of claim 14, further comprising: moving the second game piece away from the first game piece, wherein the transfer object continues to reside within the socket of the second game piece.
 21. The method of claim 14, further comprising: positioning a third game piece over the transfer object residing in the second game piece, the third game piece having a carrier body substantially the same as the carrier bodies of the first and second game pieces; and moving the third game piece toward the second game piece until the socket of the third game piece is received within the socket of the second game piece and the transfer object passes through the entry opening of the third game piece, the transfer object thereafter residing within the socket of the third game piece. 